Today Eyes on Animals was again at Gosschalk, a Dutch slaughterhouse that had had many serious welfare issues caught on tape and exposed last year by Varkens in Nood. We were hesitant to respond to Gosschalks' request for help at first but decided to test them out to see how serious they were about really reducing animal stress and pain. Several months after our first … [Read more...] about Follow-up inspection of Gosschalk slaughterhouse, NL
slaughterhouses
Visit to Van Rooi slaughterhouse (NL) after animal welfare improvements
Today Eyes on Animals visited Van Rooi slaughterhouse in Helmond (NL) where several improvements were implemented following our advice. A large section of the automatic push gates (that lead the pigs to the CO2 stunner) were removed and replaced by calm workers. This has significantly reduced stress levels amongst the pigs. The pigs now walk more calmly and their … [Read more...] about Visit to Van Rooi slaughterhouse (NL) after animal welfare improvements
Inspection goat-kids slaughterhouse in Brabant (NL)
Today we inspected a slaughterhouse where goat-kids are slaughtered. A lot of goat-kids are sent to slaughter only a week after birth, because there is no time, space or financial gain for the goat farmer to fatten them. This issue mainly concerns male kids (as these don’t produce milk) and female kids that are no longer needed. They are slaughtered as soon as they are … [Read more...] about Inspection goat-kids slaughterhouse in Brabant (NL)
Evaluation of Brand pig slaughterhouse in Lohne, Germany
Today, Eyes on Animals together with Dr. Kees Scheepens was asked by Brand pig slaughterhouse to visit their slaughterhouse to evaluate conditions inside and see if we had any new ideas for what they could do to decrease any unnecessary suffering or stress. Brand slaughterhouse uses CO2 to stun pigs, which remains a welfare problem as inhaling CO2 causes a … [Read more...] about Evaluation of Brand pig slaughterhouse in Lohne, Germany
Promising news from a slaughterhouse in north-eastern Turkey
After a successful meeting yesterday with the mayor of a city in North East Turkey, Asalet from Eyes on Animals was sent to visit the local municipal slaughterhouse to teach the slaughtermen how to use a captive bolt stunner on cattle, so that the pain and fear of the animals could be reduced. We know that slaughter can never be “ humane” but what a HUGE difference this … [Read more...] about Promising news from a slaughterhouse in north-eastern Turkey
Mayor asks Asalet of Eyes on Animals to provide training in slaughterhouse in Turkey
Today our animal- welfare inspector Asalet visited the mayor of Bayburt in east Turkey where he is from. Asalet explained how stunning the animals during slaughter greatly reduces their suffering and showed him what a captive bolt pistol looks like and how it works. Tomorrow Asalet will give a practical training at a local slaughterhouse in this area, at the mayors' … [Read more...] about Mayor asks Asalet of Eyes on Animals to provide training in slaughterhouse in Turkey
EonA and WACPAW help Tamale abattoir in Ghana with improving floor
The big construction works to drastically reduce some of the extreme suffering at this slaughterhouse in northern Ghana have begun ! Eyes on Animals and WACPAW proposed to the managers of this slaughterhouse 2 years ago a different design where the cattle would at least suffer less. Two of the biggest problems at the time were the huge open gutters everywhere and slippery … [Read more...] about EonA and WACPAW help Tamale abattoir in Ghana with improving floor
Introduction and training on use of stunners for cattle slaughterhouses near Izmir, Turkey
Asalet and Berker from Eyes on Animal are near Izmir in Turkey showing slaughter personnel and officials how captive bolt pistols work and explaining the benefit of using them during slaughter to at least render the cattle insensitive to pain before their neck is cut. In Turkey cattle are normally fully conscious during restraint, hoisting and neck-cutting, with animals … [Read more...] about Introduction and training on use of stunners for cattle slaughterhouses near Izmir, Turkey
Inspection of Feenstra pig slaughterhouse and slaughter of Zonvarken’s pigs there
Today we visited Feenstra, a non-intensive slaughterhouse (20 pigs per hour) in The Netherlands with Beter Leven Keurmerk. We went today because the pigs from the new pig meat company "Zonvarken" were going to be slaughtered. We had advised Zonvarkens on what they could do to limit fear and pain during transport and slaughter of their animals. One of our suggestions was to … [Read more...] about Inspection of Feenstra pig slaughterhouse and slaughter of Zonvarken’s pigs there
Inspection of Westfort sow and boar slaughterhouse in Gorinchem, NL
Today a team visited Westfort slaughterhouse in Gorinchem. This plant slaughters culled adult sows and boars, that were used for breeding. We were told that we are always welcome to visit and even just show up. This level of transparency is very positive. The employees at this plant, just like at the other Westfort plant in IJsselstein, are thoroughly trained and receive a … [Read more...] about Inspection of Westfort sow and boar slaughterhouse in Gorinchem, NL
